Tapping apparatus and cooling apparatus with two heat exchangers and method for the formation of a tapping or cooling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tapping apparatus, provided with a first heat exchanger ( 9 ) and a second heat exchanger ( 11 ), wherein the first heat exchanger has a refrigerant side and a fluid side, and the second heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant side and a fluid side, wherein the fluid side of the second heat exchanger ( 11 ) is provided with: a first connection ( 65 ) and a second connection ( 66 ), for connection of a cooling circuit and/or a contact face ( 90 ) to be cooled by-refrigerant in the refrigerant side, for placement of an object to be cooled.

The invention relates to a tapping apparatus. The invention moreoverrelates to a cooling apparatus.

WO2006/103566 describes a tapping apparatus for beverage, provided witha cooled countermount. The tapping apparatus comprises a cooling spaceon which the countermount is mounted and in which a beverage containersuch as a keg can be set up and cooled with the aid of air which iscooled by a first heat exchanger and which is forced through the coolingspace by a fan. The countermount is cooled using a cooling liquid whichis introduced via an inlet into a chamber in the countermount and isdischarged from the chamber again via an outlet. The cooling liquid iscooled in a second heat exchanger, which is integrated with the firstheat exchanger in one block. A beverage line extends from the beveragecontainer to a tap and is in thermal contact with the cooling liquid inthat the beverage line is pressed against a wall of the chamber. Duringuse, the air to be cooled and the cooling liquid exchange heat with thesame cooling element.

In this known tapping apparatus the first and second heat exchanger areintegrated and are jointly built in. Both heat exchangers will always bepresent, and so will the countermount and the cooling space withassociated cooling circuits. Such a tapping apparatus is thereforelittle flexible in the buildup and use.

A further disadvantage of this known tapping apparatus is that thecooling of the countermount and the cooling of the cooling space arethermally coupled to each other, so that change in the temperature ofthe countermount will affect the temperature regulation of the coolingspace and vice versa. This means, for instance, that when thetemperature of the environment of the tapping apparatus rises and hencethe cold demand of the cooling space rises, the countermount will becooled harder, which can lead, for instance, to freezing of the beveragein the beverage line.

One object of the invention is to provide an alternative tappingapparatus.

Another object is to provide a tapping apparatus that is flexible inbuildup and use.

A further object is to provide a tapping apparatus with which differentobjects can be cooled independently of each other.

At least one of these and/or other objects can be achieved with atapping apparatus or cooling apparatus according to the invention.

In a first aspect, a tapping apparatus is characterized in that it isprovided with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger,wherein the first heat exchanger has a refrigerant side and a fluidside, and the second heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant side and afluid side. The fluid side of the second heat exchanger is providedwith:

a first connection and a second connection, for connection of a coolingcircuit and/or

a contact face to be cooled by refrigerant in the refrigerant side, forplacement of an object to be cooled.

Such tapping apparatuses provide the advantage that a basic buildup of atapping apparatus can be provided, to which at the time of the assemblyor subsequently, objects to be cooled and/or cooling circuits can becoupled, without necessitating substantial adaptations to or conversionof the tapping apparatus. The tapping apparatus can be simply adapted tothe wishes of a user, which is economically advantageous.

In a second aspect, an assembly of a tapping apparatus according to theinvention and a cooling circuit is characterized in that the second heatexchanger is provided with the first and second connection. The coolingcircuit is provided with a first and a second counter connection, forcoupling with the first connection and the second connection,respectively, for forming a fluid communication between the coolingcircuit and the fluid side of the second heat exchanger.

In yet another aspect, an assembly of a tapping apparatus according tothe invention is characterized by a contact face to be cooled byrefrigerant in the refrigerant side for placement of an object to becooled and an object to be cooled which is placeable against or near it.

In another aspect, a method for the buildup of a tapping apparatus ischaracterized in that a cooling space and an additional space areprovided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus isprovided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger areincluded. The first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and thesecond heat exchanger is at least partly arranged in the additionalspace. The second heat exchanger is provided with a first and secondconnection, of which at least one is arranged in the additional spaceand with which a cooling circuit is coupled without the first or secondheat exchanger being demounted.

In yet another aspect, a method is characterized in that a cooling spaceand an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus acooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a secondheat exchanger are included. The first heat exchanger can cool thecooling space and the second heat exchanger comprises a contact facewhich extends at least partly in the cooling space and is cooled byrefrigerant. In the cooling space an object to be cooled is placedagainst or near the contact face, with the cooled object beingpreferably included in or around a part of a line to be cooled such as abeverage line.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a tapping apparatus,assembly and method and parts suitable therefor will be described withreference to the drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a tapping apparatus with twocountermounts, built in under a tap counter;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective view a tapping apparatus with twocountermounts, without tap counter;

FIG. 3 shows schematically in sectional view a tapping apparatus;

FIGS. 3A and B show a portion of two alternative embodiments of atapping apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows in perspective view a portion of a cooling apparatus,partly sectioned;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a cooled countermount;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a tapping apparatus with differentcountermounts;

FIGS. 7-9 show three exemplary embodiments of cooling circuits for atapping apparatus, with second cooling circuit;

FIG. 8A schematically shows a cooling circuit, comparable to FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10-12 show cooling circuits for the embodiments according to FIGS.7-9, without second cooling circuits coupled thereto;

FIGS. 13-16 show alternative embodiments of a cooling circuit withoutcooling circuit or object to be cooled coupled thereto;

FIGS. 17-23 show embodiments of cooling circuits with cooling circuitsor objects to be cooled coupled thereto.

In this description, like or corresponding parts have like orcorresponding reference numerals. The embodiments shown are shown forillustration only and should not be construed as limiting in any way.Tapping apparatuses and parts thereof can be used for eliminating atleast one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or achievingother advantages or offering an alternative. Also embodiments that donot eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art or do not eliminate alldisadvantages of the prior art or do not achieve the advantagescontemplated or do not achieve all advantages contemplated, can fallwithin the invention claimed by the claims.

In this description, refrigerant should be understood to mean at least acoolant which in a preferably closed cooling circuit is compressed by acompressor, is guided through a condenser and then through at least anevaporator. Cooling medium should in this description be understood tomean at least a medium that is cooled or heated in a heat exchanger,thereupon to be used to cool or heat a space, object or other medium.Examples of cooling mediums can be, though are not limited to, water,air, glycol or other antifreeze agents and combinations and/orcompositions thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a tapping apparatus 1 in built-in condition. FIG. 2 shows atapping apparatus 1 which can be used for that. The tapping apparatusshown and described here is cited only as an example. Coolingapparatuses according to the invention can also be used in otherequipment. The tapping apparatus 1 comprises a cooling apparatus 2having thereon, in the exemplary embodiment shown, two countermounts 3.In the exemplary embodiment shown, for instance the right-handcountermount 3A can be an extra cooled countermount, for instance aniced countermount, and the left-hand countermount 3B a normal cooledcountermount. The countermounts 3 may be carried directly on an upperside of the cooling apparatus 2 but may also, for instance, in case of abuilt-in cooling apparatus 2, be supported at least partly on a tapcounter 4 such as a bar. In the cooling apparatus a beverage container 5(FIG. 3) such as a beer vat, wine cask or the like, or several, the sameof different, containers 5 may be set up, which via one or more beveragelines 6 may be connected with one or more of the countermounts 3 or taps7 arranged thereon. In this way, beverage from the beverage containers 5can be dispensed with the aid of the taps 7. In this description, extracooled countermount should be understood to mean at least, though notexclusively, a countermount 3 of which at least a portion is cooled, inparticular to a temperature below the freezing point of water and/orcondensation. In an embodiment, the cooled countermount may be cooledsuch that during use, over practically the whole outer surface 8thereof, an ice layer is formed. In another embodiment, only a portionof the countermount 3 or a portion of an outer surface 8 thereof may becooled for forming an ice layer. If multiple countermounts 3 are used,extra cooled should be understood to mean at least, though notexclusively, a tapping column 3 which is cooled to a lower temperaturethan the other, normal countermount 3, based on the lowest outsidetemperature thereof.

In a tapping apparatus 1 according to this description, preferably twoheat exchangers can be used, as schematically shown in FIG. 3. A firstheat exchanger 9 is provided for cooling a cooling space 10 in which thecontainers 5 are or can be set up. A second heat exchanger 11 may beprovided, with which at least the first, extra cooled countermount 3Acan be cooled. At least one of the two heat exchangers 9, 11 may beprovided such that a cooling circuit or element to be cooled can becoupled thereto and can be uncoupled therefrom, without requiring thetapping apparatus 1 to be largely taken apart. A cooling circuit orelement to be cooled can be placed afterwards, depending on, forinstance, a client's wish, changing wishes or technical specifications.In an example, a tapping apparatus is thus flexible in buildup and use,and no special STEK mechanic or STEK-certified company is necessary andthe apparatus can be adapted to specific wishes relatively simply and ina situation of use, for instance in a bar, pub, restaurant or othercatering establishment. Further, the tapping apparatus can be adapted tothe wishes of a new user.

The first and second heat exchanger 9, 11 can use a same cooling medium,such as air. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, with the firstheat exchanger 9 air is cooled, for cooling of a cooling space 10, withthe second heat exchanger 11 a liquid, for instance glycol or aglycol-containing liquid, is cooled. With the second heat exchanger 11,preferably a different temperature can be regulated than with the firstheat exchanger 9, preferably a lower one. In the embodiments shown, thefirst heat exchanger 9 is a finned heat exchanger, the second heatexchanger 11 a tube-in-tube type heat exchanger. However, also othertypes of heat exchangers can be used as first and/or second heatexchangers 9, 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a single countermount 3 is shown,which may be designed as an extra cooled countermount 3A or may beoperated as such. The countermount 3 comprises a jacket 13, a supply 14and a discharge 15. A passage 16 is provided within the jacket 13, whichextends between an inlet 17 and the tap 7. The inlet 17 may be situatednear a lower end 18 of the jacket 13, but the passage 16 may also extendfarther than said lower end 18, into the cooling space 10, such that theinlet 17 is provided in the cooling space 10. The passage 16 may beprovided with a side inlet 19 through which the beverage line 6 may beintroduced into the passage 16, at least during use. However, thebeverage line 6 may also be introduced via the inlet 17. The beverageline 6 can be a disposable beverage line, which is replaced, forinstance, when changing a container 5, or is changed after a number ofcontainers 5, but may also be provided permanently. Disposable shouldherein be understood to mean at least, though not exclusively, abeverage line which is so designed that it is thrown away after use. Tothis end, the beverage line may for instance be of relatively cheapdesign in plastic, for instance as known from the David® system offeredby Heineken®, from the DraughtMaster® system offered by Carlsberg®, theSmartDraft® system offered by Micromatic or as described in EP1289874.The beverage line 6 extends through the passage 16 as far as or into thetap 7. In an embodiment, the tap 7 may be designed as a tap 7 of a knowncountermount, with the beverage line 6 being connected to an end thereofand the tap 7 having its own shut-off (not shown). Such an embodiment isespecially suitable when a (semi)permanent beverage line is used. Inanother embodiment, the beverage line 6 may be provided with a shut-off(not shown) which can be laid in the tap 7 or can cooperate therewith,as for instance known from the David® system offered by Heineken®, fromthe DraughtMaster® system offered by Carlsberg®, or the SmartDraft®system offered by Micromatic or as described in EP1289874. In yetanother embodiment, the beverage line may be provided with acompressible end 20, which by the tap 7 can be squeezed shut and/or canbe opened or whose passage 21 can be released, as for instance knownfrom the PerfectDraft® system offered by Philips® and InBev®. Theabove-mentioned systems and patent application are mentioned only forillustration and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, between a wall 22 of the passage 16and the outside 23 of the beverage line 6 within the passage 16 at leastpartly a space 24 is provided which, via the inlet 17, is in fluidcommunication with the cooling space 10. Near the inlet 17 a fan 25 maybe provided, which can be driven for passing air from the cooling space10 into the space 24 and/or drawing air from the space 24 into thecooling space. In this way, the temperature in the space 24 can beregulated and the space 24 can form a temperature regulating space. Inanother embodiment, the fan 25 is omitted and for feed-through of airthrough the countermount use is made of natural or forced convectionunder the influence of pressure differences, which can for instanceresult from temperature differences between the cooled space 10 and theenvironment of the tapping apparatus.

Within the jacket 13, around at least a part of the passage 16, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, a space 26 is provided, for instance achamber which is in fluid communication with the supply 14 and thedischarge 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the supply 14 isarranged low in the space 26 and the discharge 15 high, so that ventingof the space 26 is relatively simple. However, this can also be carriedout differently or depend on a chosen flow direction of the secondcooling fluid. The supply 14 is connected with a first line 27 whichextends through the second heat exchanger 11 as far as a delivery sideof a pump 28. The suction side of the pump 28 is connected via a secondline 29 with a vat 30, which vat 30 is connected via a line 31 with thedischarge 15. The lines 27, 29, 31, the space 26, the pump 28 and thevat 30 form a second cooling circuit C₂ and during use may be filledwith the second cooling medium, for instance glycol 32, which can bepumped round with the aid of the pump 28. Between the delivery side ofthe pump 28 and the supply 14, around the first line 27 a portion 33 ofthe second heat exchanger 11 is arranged, through which during userefrigerant can be passed, for cooling the second cooling medium.

During use, beverage is passed via the beverage line 6 to the tap 7, tobe dispensed thereby. In the cooling space 10, the temperature ismeasured with the aid of a first temperature sensor 34. If thetemperature rises above a desired temperature, the first heat exchanger9 will come into operation to supply cold to the cooling space 10 andthereby re-adjust the temperature below the desired temperaturementioned. With the aid of the second heat exchanger, the second coolingmedium is cooled and pumped through the second cooling space C₂ by thepump 28. Within the jacket 13 cold is thereby exchanged with at leastthe outer wall 35 of the jacket 13 or a part thereof, such that on theouter side of the jacket 13 condensation freezes and an ice layer forms.A second temperature sensor 36, for instance in the vat 30, will measurethe temperature of the second cooling medium 32 returned. From this,with the aid of a control device 37, it can be determined how much heathas been supplied to the second cooling medium 32 in the jacket 13, onthe basis of which the temperature of the second cooling medium 32 canbe regulated and adjusted with the aid of the second heat exchanger 11.

The temperature of the second cooling medium 32 can be considerablylower than that of the first cooling medium with which the cooling space10 is cooled and/or the temperature of the cooling space 10. Inparticular, the temperature of containers 5 present therein and beveragereceived therein can be considerably higher than that of the secondcooling medium 32 in the space 26. By passing air, with the aid of thefan 25 and/or through convection or pressure difference, through thespace 24 along at least a part of the beverage line 6 within the jacket,regulation is enabled so that the temperature of the beverage line 6, orat least beverage therein, is kept above the freezing point of thebeverage, also when the beverage stands still in the respective part ofthe beverage line 6, while the temperature of the second cooling medium32 and in particular of the jacket 13 can be kept (considerably) lower.Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it seems the air is used forat least partly heating the beverage line 6, so that the beverage isprevented from freezing, while the jacket 13 and in particular the outerwall, in whole or parts thereof, can be cooled such that ice formationcan occur thereon and/or an ice layer formed thereon can be maintained.Incidentally, in a more general sense, as a result, a temperaturedifference between the cooling space 10, the beverage line 6 within thejacket 13 and the jacket 13 and/or the outer wall thereof can beachieved.

FIG. 4 shows schematically in perspective view a portion of a coolingapparatus with countermount 3, in particular an extra cooledcountermount 3A, and a portion of the cooling space C₂. The pump 28 ishere provided directly at an underside of the vat 30, which vat 30 has awholly or partly closed cover 39. The vat 30 constitutes a buffer, sothat the temperature regulation is sufficiently constant and reliableand there is a sufficient cooling capacity. A line 40 is shown, whichextends from the cooling space 10 as far as the passage 16 and can bringair from the cooling space 10 into the passage 16 or can discharge airtherefrom to the cooling space 10. Actually, this air line 40 forms apart of the passage 16 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows in exploded view a portion of the tapping apparatus 1,especially the countermount 3 and a part of the lines for connectionthereof. The countermount 3 with the jacket 13 is provided, at a lowerend 18, with connections for the passage 16 and the supply 14 anddischarge 15. A first connector 41 is provided for cooperation with theconnections of the countermount 3. A second connector 42 is providedwhich can fit into an opening 43 in the upper side of the cooling space10, which is for instance formed by or is included in a refrigerator. Aconnecting box 44 is provided at the underside of the second connector42. The connecting box 44 is provided with a first opening 45 forconnection of the air line 40 and a second opening 46 for feed-in and/orfeed-through of the at least one beverage line 6 (not shown in FIG. 5).At the top side, the connecting box 44 is provided with a connection fora feed-through tube 46 which forms part of or can link up with thepassage 16, via the first connector 41. The first line 27 and third line31 have been guided alongside the feed-through tube 46. An insulationtube 47 may be arranged around the feed-through tube 46 and the twolines 27 and 31. In the example shown, the feed-through tube 46 and thelines 27, 31 are slightly bent, in particular slightly S-shaped. As aresult, the countermount 3 can be arranged in displaced relation withrespect to the opening 43 and a greater freedom is obtained forplacement thereof on a tap counter. In an embodiment, the feed-throughtube 46 and the lines 27, 31 can be slightly flexible, for a stillgreater freedom of placement.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 1,with different countermounts 3 that can be used therewith. In thisembodiment, the cooling apparatus is provided with at least threecompartments. A first compartment 48 constitutes the cooling space 10. Asecond compartment 49 comprises technical elements 50 of the coolingapparatus, in particular at least a compressor 51, a condenser 52 and afan 53. Additionally, electronic elements such as the control device 37may be provided therein. The third compartment 54 can comprise at leastthe vat 31, with the pump 28. The second compartment 49 and thirdcompartment 54 are arranged one above the other and may be closed off bya plate 55. The first compartment 48 can in addition be provided withand be closable with a door 56. The third compartment 54 is preferablythermally insulated, for instance inter alia through a plate 57. In thepartition wall 59 between the first compartment 48 and the secondcompartment 49, an opening 60 may be provided for passing air cooled bythe first heat exchanger 9 to the cooling space 10. Optionally, thepartition wall 59 can function as evaporator of the first heat exchanger9. In the cooling space 10 a cooling element 61 may be provided, inwhich for instance water or beverage can be cooled. The cooling element61 can for instance comprise a line or channel between an input 62 andan output 63, to which lines (not shown) can be connected, which canextend to outside the cooling space. Water can thereby be passed intothe cooling element 61, can therein be cooled through heat exchange withthe air and/or a wall in the cooling space 10, and thereupon bedelivered again. In an alternative embodiment, the cooling element mayalso be designed differently, for instance as a bag, vat, cask or thelike. The cooling element 61 is preferably not placed against thecoldest wall of the cooling space 10, in order to prevent freezingthereof. More particularly, it is advantageous to place the coolingelement 61 against a least cold wall, for instance the wall opposite thepartition wall or at least opposite an entrance of cooled air.

In an embodiment represented in FIG. 3A, around a part of the beverageline 6 within a countermount 3, for instance the extra cooledcountermount 3A, a heating element 70 is arranged, connected to thecontrol device 37. With this, heat can be supplied to the beverage line,and hence to beverage therein, when the temperature of the beverage lineand/or the beverage falls below a desired temperature. Such atemperature fall can for instance be determined on the basis of thechange in temperature of cooling medium in the first and/or second heatexchanger 9, 11, in the cooling space 10 and/or through directmeasurement of the temperature of the beverage line 6. Such regulationswill be immediately clear to those skilled in the art.

In FIG. 3B, a further alternative embodiment is shown, wherein thecircuit C2 extends substantially as a line 26A through the countermount3B, while a limited space or chamber 26 may be provided. Against a wallof that chamber or directly against the line 26A, a side of for instancea thermoelectric element, for instance a Peltier element 80 or similaractive cooling element may be arranged, while the opposite side of thePeltier element is arranged, for instance, against a side of the wall ofthe jacket 13. An element to be cooled, as for instance a logo L, may bearranged against it. Since in this way a greater temperature differenceΔT is obtained between element L to be cooled and the heat emitting sideof the Peltier element 80, in an energetically effective manner a strongcooling of the element L is obtained, for instance for freezing it.Moreover, with this, in a simple manner a partial freezing can beobtained.

In the following figures, embodiments of cooling circuits are shownwhich can be used in a tapping apparatus, while in some cases a coolingcircuit to be connected to the second heat exchanger and/or element tobe cooled thereby has been omitted. In an embodiment of a method, atapping apparatus, or at least a cooling apparatus therefor, is builtup, whereby at least the first heat exchanger 9 and the evaporator or apart thereof of the second heat exchanger 11 are placed. In such abuild-up, the tapping apparatus 1, or at least the cooling apparatustherefor, is suitable for use. In some cases the second heat exchangercan be directly completed, for instance through placement of anappropriate cooling circuit or connection of an object to the cooled,while in other cases this is not done until afterwards, or is actuallyomitted throughout the service life of the apparatus. Coupling can forinstance be done through connection of the second heat exchanger with arefrigerant circuit or through coupling of a cooling circuit for fluidcommunication for pumping round cooling medium or through arrangement ofan object to be cooled near or against the second heat exchanger.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a cooling circuit C, or at least arefrigerant-side part thereof. Clearly visible in this cooling circuit Care the first heat exchanger 9 and the second heat exchanger 11,series-connected and coupled via a line section 64. Coupled to thesecond heat exchanger 11 are the vat 30 and the pump 28. Thecountermount 3A is drawn-in only schematically, in the form of a circle.In the first line 27 and the third line 31, respectively, a firstcoupling 65 and a second coupling 66 is arranged, for coupling of thecircuit C₂ with the heat exchanger 11. As a result, the circuit C₂ canbe uncoupled and, for instance, be omitted if no extra cooledcountermount 3A is used, or if a different object to be cooled is to belinked up. Thus, the tapping apparatus can be flexibly built up and, ifdesired, be configured differently in the course of time. In FIG. 7there is included in the vat 30 a cooling coil 67, which is connectedwith or integrated in a line 68 which can extend from a beveragecontainer 5A into a countermount 3, in particular a normal countermount3B.

The circuit C is accommodated partly in the cooling apparatus 2 andpartly outside the cooling apparatus 2 or in open communication with theatmosphere outside the cooling apparatus 2. The circuit C comprises anaccumulator 69 and a compressor 70. Moreover, a condenser 71 and acapillary 72 are included. Of the first heat exchanger 9 an evaporator73 is included in the circuit C, and of the second heat exchanger anevaporator 74. The evaporator can herein be regarded as a refrigerantside R of a heat exchanger. Conversely, a part of a heat exchanger 9, 11along which and/or through which a cooling medium flows, can bedesignated as the fluid side F. The refrigerant side R and the fluidside F can be disposed next to each other, or can extend wholly orpartly around each other, may be interwoven or be positioned relative toeach other in other ways, as long as heat exchange can take placebetween them. It is clearly visible that for the two heat exchangers 9,11, only one compressor 70, one accumulator 69, one condenser 71 and onecapillary 72 are included. This makes the apparatus relatively simpleand little costly. The compressor 70 can be of modulating design, sothat it can be controlled on the basis of, for instance, the cold demandin the cooling space, for which the first heat exchanger 9 may beprovided, and/or the cold demand of the second heat exchanger and/or anobject to be cooled, such as the countermount 3A, 3B, connected thereto.

In FIG. 8 a cooling circuit C is shown, where the first heat exchanger 9and the second heat exchanger 11 are connected in parallel between thecapillary 72 and the accumulator 69. Here, the first 9 and the secondheat exchanger 11 can be jointly driven. The refrigerant (coolant) inthe cooling circuit C will be divided over the first heat exchanger 9and the second heat exchanger 11, for instance on the basis of the flowresistance of the evaporators 73, 74 of the two heat exchangers 9, 11.In an embodiment not shown, a regulating valve may be included, in flowdirection before or behind at least one of the two heat exchangers 9, 11and preferably before or behind both heat exchangers 9, 11, so that thedivision of the refrigerant over the two heat exchangers can becontrolled, for instance on the basis of the cold demand of the two heatexchangers 9, 11. To this end, for instance a valve controlled by atemperature sensor can be used. Such a sensor can for instance beincluded in the cooling space 10 and/or in or at the countermount 3A, 3Band/or in or at the vat 30. Moreover, the compressor 70 can becontrolled on the basis of the temperatures. Again, a first coupling 65and a second coupling 66 are used for coupling of the second coolingcircuit C₂.

FIG. 8A shows an exemplary embodiment of a cooling circuit, comparableto FIG. 8, where, however, the container 5A has been omitted. Aconnection 67A is provided, to which for instance such a container 5Acan be connected, but which can also form a connection, for instance,with a water mains, cask, cellar beer installation or other source forbeverage.

In FIG. 9 a further embodiment of a part of a cooling apparatus with acooling circuit C is shown, where two separate circuits C₁, C_(r) areshown. In the partial circuit C_(r) shown on the right-hand side in FIG.9, a first compressor 70A, a first condenser 71A, a first capillary 72Aand the evaporator 73 of the first heat exchanger 9 are included. In thepartial circuit C₁ shown on the left-hand side, a second compressor 70B,a second condenser 71B, a second capillary 72B and the evaporator 74 ofthe second heat exchanger 11 are included. In an embodiment, the firstand second condenser 71A, B may be accommodated in a housing or becombined as one condenser. In an embodiment with two compressors, theadvantage can be achieved that the two partial circuits C₁, C_(r) can becontrolled at least partly and preferably wholly independently of eachother, while the control is relatively simple and may be arranged on thebasis of separate temperature sensors for the two partial circuits.Again, a first coupling 65 and a second coupling 66 are used forcoupling of the second cooling circuit C₂.

In FIGS. 7-9, exemplary embodiments are given of cooling circuits C towhich a secondary or second cooling circuit C₂ is coupled. These areonly examples. FIGS. 10-12 show the cooling circuits of FIGS. 7, 8, and9, respectively, without such secondary cooling circuits. Clearly seen,however, are the first coupling 65 and a second coupling 66. The secondcooling circuit C₂ in each case is provided with counter couplings 75,76, for forming a fluid communication between the fluid side F of thesecond heat exchanger 11 and the second cooling circuit C₂.

FIG. 13 shows schematically a cooling circuit C with a first and asecond heat exchanger 9, 11 or at least a refrigerant part R thereof,included in parallel. Further, a compressor 70, condenser 71 andcapillary 72 are included, and optionally an accumulator 69. No “load”has yet been included against the second heat exchanger 11, which has atleast one side 90 against which a “load” such as an object to be cooledcan be placed. “Load” should here be understood to mean at least acircuit or object to be cooled.

In FIG. 14 a cooling circuit C is shown, comparable to that according toFIG. 13, where the first 9 and second heat exchanger 11 or at least arefrigerant side R thereof are connected in series with the compressor70, the condenser 71 and the capillary 72 and optionally theaccumulator. Again, no “load” has yet been brought against or near theat least one face 90. It is noted that the face 90 in all embodimentsshown can be both an internal and an external face of the heat exchanger11, as well as a combination thereof and moreover can have any desiredshape or configuration.

FIG. 15 shows a cooling apparatus or a cooling circuit thereof,comparable to FIG. 12, where, however, the second heat exchanger 11 orthe refrigerant side thereof is designed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment where the first and second heat exchanger 9,11 are in fact combined, to the extent that a double or multiple heatexchanger has been obtained. A first part 9 or side of the heatexchanger is here, for instance, finned and arranged for cooling a gas,while a second part 11 or side is designed as a plate heat exchanger ora refrigerant side R of a heat exchanger or a face 90 as describedearlier, against which or at which an object to be cooled or “load” canbe placed.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a portion of a tapping apparatus 1, wherethe cooling circuit C is designed as described and shown in FIG. 11. Thesecond cooling circuit C₂ coupled to the couplings 65, 66 comprises apump 28, glycol bath 30 and cooled or extra cooled countermount 3A, 3B.The second heat exchanger is designed as a tube-in-tube type heatexchanger where both the refrigerant side R and the fluid side F havealready been pre-assembled. After coupling of the cooling circuit C2with the heat exchanger 11, the cooling circuit C2 can be filled withglycol, as far as necessary, after which the cooling can commence.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a tapping apparatus with a coolingcircuit C according to FIG. 14, where a second cooling circuit C2 hasbeen placed against the face 90 of the second heat exchanger or at leastthe refrigerant-side part R thereof, in direct contact. To this end, forinstance a wall of the buffer vat 30 or a line 27 can be placed againstit. The second cooling circuit further comprises the pump 28 and thecountermount 3A, 3B.

In FIG. 19, an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 1 is shown, again witha cooling circuit C according to FIG. 14, where, however, against theface 90 an in-line cooler-type cooler has been placed, connected to aline 68 between a container 5, 5A and a countermount 3A, 3B and/or a tap7.

In FIG. 20, a tapping apparatus 1 according to FIG. 19 is shown, where,however, a connection 67A is arranged as shown and described in FIG. 8Ainstead of the container 5, 5A. FIG. 21 shows an embodiment comparableto FIG. 16, where a second cooling circuit C2 has been placed againstthe face 90, for instance by bringing a buffer vat 30 into thermalcontact therewith. With this, a countermount 30 can then be cooled, forinstance for the formation of an iced countermount.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment comparable to FIG. 21, where, however, thesecond heat exchanger 11 or at least the refrigerant side R thereof hasbeen placed in a buffer vat 30 of a second cooling circuit C2. As aresult, the second coolant 32 is cooled directly by at least the face90.

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of a tapping apparatus 1 where the coolingcircuit C is substantially designed as shown and described in FIG. 14,where against the face 90 a “warm” side 91 of an active cooling elementsuch as a Peltier element 92 has been arranged. Against the other,“cold” side 93, a part of a second cooling circuit C2 has been placed,for instance a wall of a buffer vat 30. Through this arrangement the“warm” side of the element 92 will be able to give off the heatrelatively simply and properly, so that the cooling by the element 92can be improved.

It will be clear that in the Figures, and especially in FIGS. 7-23, onlyexemplary embodiments are shown. These are not limiting. Combinations ofthe second cooling circuits C2 and primary circuits C and/or heatexchangers 9, 11 shown therein are understood to be also includedherein, as well as variants thereon.

The invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments shown anddescribed in the description and drawings. Many variations thereon arepossible within the framework of the inventions outlined by the claims.These include at least all combinations of the embodiments shown andparts thereof.

1. A tapping apparatus, provided with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger has a refrigerant side and a fluid side, and the second heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant side and a fluid side, wherein the fluid side of the second heat exchanger is provided with: a first connection and a second connection, for connection of a cooling circuit and/or a contact face to be cooled by refrigerant in the refrigerant side, for placement of an object to be cooled.
 2. A tapping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid side of the first heat exchanger is a gas side and the fluid side of the second heat exchanger is a liquid side.
 3. A tapping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connection and the second connection respectively comprise a first and second rapid coupling.
 4. A tapping apparatus, provided with a cooling space and an additional space, wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged for cooling of the cooling space and at least one of the first and the second connection is provided in the additional space.
 5. An assembly of a tapping apparatus, according to claim 1 and a cooling circuit, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided with the first and second connection and the cooling circuit is provided with a first and a second counter connection, for coupling with the first connection and the second connection, respectively, for forming of a fluid communication between the cooling circuit and the fluid side of the second heat exchanger.
 6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount.
 7. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a buffer, in particular a buffer in which a cooling element is included.
 8. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount.
 9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein a second countermount is provided, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount, wherein the beverage line comprises a cooling element, to be cooled by the fluid side of the second heat exchanger and preferably by a part of the cooling circuit.
 10. An assembly of a tapping apparatus according to claim 1 and an object to be cooled, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided with the contact face and the object to be cooled is placed near or against the contact face and is included in or around a cooling circuit.
 11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount.
 12. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a countermount, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount.
 13. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein a countermount is provided, through which extends a beverage line for connection of a container in a cooling space to be cooled by the first heat exchanger and a tap arranged on the countermount, wherein the beverage line comprises the object to be cooled or is guided therethrough.
 14. A method for the buildup of a tapping apparatus, wherein a cooling space and an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger are included, such that the first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and the second heat exchanger is arranged at least partly in the additional space, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided with a first and second connection of which at least one is arranged in the additional space and with which a cooling circuit is coupled without the first and/or second heat exchanger being demounted.
 15. A method for the buildup of a tapping apparatus, wherein a cooling space and an additional space are provided, wherein in the tapping apparatus a cooling apparatus is provided in which at least a first and a second heat exchanger are included, such that the first heat exchanger can cool the cooling space and the second heat exchanger comprises a contact face which extends at least partly in the cooling space and is cooled by refrigerant, wherein in the cooling space an object to be cooled is placed against or near the contact face, wherein the cooled object is preferably included in or around a part of a line to be cooled such as a beverage line. 